New owner need help

[Fbhuskerfan]

I inherited a tractor with the move to an acreage just outside of town. I am a first time owner with limited tractor or mechanical skills. Based on the serial number I have learned it is a 1952 Ferguson. There was supposedly a newer battery in it but after having it tested seems it was bad. Got new one and replaced it. Nothing. So I replaced the ignition switch figuring that was bad. I copied the wiring set up from the old one still nothing. Not sure what to try next. I was told it ran but starting to doubt that now. ANY hints, tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
 

[mrjrwj1]

[Steve@Advance]

The only way to diagnose electrical problems is with a test light or volt meter.

Both are very affordable. Diagnosing is not that difficult, you don't need extensive electrical skills, just basic ability to see where you have power and where you don't.

When you say nothing happens, are you saying the starter doesn't spin the engine, or it spins through but doesn't start?

Does it have the starter lever on the transmission, or is there a starter solenoid?
 

[Tom H.]

The S position on the gear shifter is the starter engage, shouldn?t be in the key unless a solenoid had been wired into the system. I had to call
a MF dealer when I got my first Ferguson to tell me how to start it. Post a picture too.
 

[Fbhuskerfan]

I?m not sure but has this been re-wired as 12 volt? The battery is obviously a 6 volt but not sure why they?d leave that if it needed a 12







 

[Ron(Ont)]

It certainly looks like an alternator which would imply 12 volts. I think it would be near impossible to find a 6 volt alternator.

Also, looks like a solenoid switch below the battery. Another sign that it is 12 volts.
 

[Steve@Advance]

That has been converted to 12 volt negative ground. It will need a 12 volt battery.

The starter wiring has also been modified.

Without seeing what was done, hard to know how it is wired.

Is there a starter button or a start position on the key switch? If so, the button, or the "S" terminal on the switch will wire to the small terminal of the starter solenoid.

Originally it didn't have a solenoid, but a heavy duty starter contactor, actuated by the shifter when in the "S" position. The problem with adding a solenoid and wiring around the original starter contactor is it now has no neutral safety feature.

Once you get a handle on the wiring and get it running, you may want to look into putting it back to the original start contactor, or use that contactor to energize the solenoid.
 

[Fbhuskerfan]

Thanks for the info..... so would you say that the S on the shifter would probably not work in this current set up? I jumped the 2 large posts on the solenoid & it darn near started (with the 6 volt battery in place). I was told to put in a 12V battery & try jumping the + post to the small post on the solenoid. Supposedly it would tell me if the solenoid was bad....? Not sure on that advice. Again thank you for the advice....I?ll take any I can get
 

[Dan S (NY)]

He probably does have a 12 volt alternator, but 6 volt alternates are easy to find. Just look in a Ford Modal A parts suppler. They aren't cheep though.

Model A Alternators
A-10001-A $191.00 / ea.
6-volt 35 amp 1928-31
 

[Bruce(OR)]

Good morning. The wife's TO-20 is wired somewhat similar to what you have. The "S" position on hers works because I wired the solenoid into
it. If that original starter button has no wires to it, then it was bypassed and your key switch activates the solenoid.
You can include that starter button into the circuit for the safety feature that was originally intended or leave it out and maybe run
something/one over.
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